Mr. Stupak Returns to Washington

Former Rep. Bart Stupak, who became a scourge of the pharmaceutical industry, energy companies with pollution issues, and monopoly telecommunications firms, has taken a new post with Venable, a longtime legal-lobbying firm whose clients include companies in the health, energy and telecommunications sectors, according to Senate records.

Former Rep. Bart Stupak (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

An attorney at the firm says that in addition to lobbying, Venable also represents many companies that only need legal advice.

Mr. Stupak, a Democrat, retired last year after nine terms, saying he was fed up with the animosity in Congress. He represented Michigan’s 1st congressional district, a huge section of northwest Michigan that was about 600 miles long.

He was considered a liberal on some issues – such as demanding more drug safety from pharmaceutical companies. He also criticized the FDA on many occasions, saying that the agency was too cozy with the companies it regulates.

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